Final answer:
Traction splints are designed to stabilize fractures of the femur, the longest and strongest bone in the human body, by aligning bone segments and maintaining limb length.
Step-by-step explanation:
Traction splints are primarily used to immobilize and secure fractures of the femur. The femur, or thigh bone, is the single bone in the thigh region and is the longest and strongest bone in the body. It is critical that femoral fractures are stabilized to prevent further injury, particularly to surrounding nerves and blood vessels. Traction splints help in aligning the fractured bone segments and maintaining the proper length of the limb until definitive orthopedic treatment can be administered. These devices are especially important in a pre-hospital or emergency situation.